Ai Tong Primary School is a prestigious SAP (Special Assistance Plan) school in Bishan, renowned for its strong Chinese bilingual program and academic excellence. As one of Singapore’s most sought-after primary schools, securing a spot at Ai Tong is highly competitive, especially in Phases 2A, 2B, and 2C, where balloting occurs almost every year.
With a fixed annual intake of 300 students, Ai Tong sees intense competition, particularly from families valuing its Chinese heritage education. This guide breaks down the latest admission trends (2022-2024), reveals key balloting patterns, and provides strategies to maximize your child’s chances.
1. Ai Tong Primary P1 Registration: The Hard Numbers (2022-2024)
Vacancies vs Applicants (Balloting Trends)
| Year | Phase | Vacancies | Applicants | Balloting? | Balloting Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Phase 1 | 240 | 130 | No | – |
| 2A(1) | 110 | 146 | Yes | SC >2km | |
| 2B | 20 | 48 | Yes | SC <1km | |
| 2C | 42 | 86 | Yes | SC <1km | |
| 2023 | Phase 1 | 240 | 114 | No | – |
| 2A(1) | 126 | 120 | Yes | – | |
| 2B | 22 | 56 | Yes | SC <1km | |
| 2C | 45 | 78 | Yes | SC <1km | |
| 2024 | Phase 1 | 240 | 132 | No | – |
| 2A(1) | 108 | 141 | Yes | SC >2km | |
| 2B | 20 | 53 | Yes | SC <1km | |
| 2C | 41 | 94 | Yes | SC <1km |
Key Takeaways From Data:
🔹 Phase 1 (Siblings): The only safe phase – 240 seats vs 114-132 applicants (no balloting).
🔹 Phase 2A(1): Extremely competitive – 120-146 applicants for 108-126 seats (SC >2km ballots yearly).
🔹 Phase 2B/2C: Even living <1km isn’t safe – ballots every year with rising demand!
🔹 Total Seats: Fixed at 300, with ~80% allocated in early phases.
2. Understanding Balloting Categories
A) SC >2km Balloting (Phase 2A Only)
- Who? Singaporean children of alumni living beyond 2km.
- Why? Priority goes to those within 2km first.
- 2024 Example: 141 applicants for 108 seats – >2km families balloted.
B) SC <1km Balloting (Phases 2B & 2C)
- Harsh Reality: <1km applicants face ballots yearly (e.g., 2024: 53 vs 20 in 2B).
- Distance Hierarchy:
<1km (still ballots) → 1-2km (rarely gets in) → >2km (no chance in 2B/2C)
C) No Balloting (Phase 1 Only)
- Only siblings get guaranteed admission.
- 2024: 132 applicants for 240 seats = 108 leftover vacancies.
3. 2026 Winning Strategies (Based on Data)
For Alumni Families (Phase 2A)
✔ Move within 2km before registration (use OneMap to verify).
⚠ >2km risk: 2024 saw balloting despite 108 seats (141 applicants).
For Volunteers/Community Leaders (Phase 2B)
✔ Complete 40+ volunteer hours early (limited slots).
✖ Even <1km isn’t safe – 2024 had 53 applicants for 20 seats.
For General Public (Phase 2C)
✔ Must live <1km + expect balloting (2024: 94 applicants for 41 seats).
✖ 1-2km applicants: Almost no chance since 2022.